Auburn Wines - 2013 (listed driest to sweetest)

2013 Auburn Dry Riesling

Sourced from a combination of vines in the subregions of Pisa, Northburn and Bannockburn. All clean fruit. The Northburn and Bannockburn portions were gently whole-bunch pressed, lightly settled and racked off solids for a cool ferment. The Pisa portion was gently foot-stomped, left on skins for 6 hours, gently pressed, briefly settled and racked to stainless steel barrel for a cool ferment. Both components, though largely fermented separately, were blended prior to finishing. Bottled September 2013. Alcohol 12.5%, pH 2.98, TA 9.1g/L, RS 5g/L. Production 903 bottles.

A riot on the nose: juicy red apple, citrus peel, pink flowers, mandarin and lime pith with a hint of spice. The palate oscillates between green and yellow fruit, framed by a lithe mineral and lemongrass backbone. Initially quite textural and seamless, the spine of crunchy acidity gradually asserts itself to finish with a pleasant hint of phenolic grip and crispness – the lemon to your G&T, the olive to your Martini. A great partner for any type of fresh seafood, or a decadent luxury with your next fish and chips. Remember to keep some aside for the cellar.

An aromatic cavalcade of orange: freshly juiced, rind, blossom and pith. Close cousins mandarin, tangelo and cumquat are also present in abundance, buoyed by a floral, limey perfume. There is great drive and intensity for this off-dry Riesling, nervy acid winding its way through the palate of lemon and mandarin fruit. An explosion of flavour hallmarks the long finish, prolonged by youthfully primal and tangy acidity.

Like so many of the Auburn releases, this smells and tastes like the fruit we harvested. Bright green lime, vanilla, manuka, a twist of nettle and petrichor. A presence of zesty citrus energy courses through a mixed fruit palate of honeydew, tangelo, lemon/lime and grapefruit, juxtaposed by zingy green apple, making for a fascinating acid and sugar interplay. A pithy, crisp finish that would leave even Bond speechless. A clean, racy thirst-quencher to wile away your afternoon.

The youthful Riesling expression of red and golden apple is ever present here, lifted by scents of musk stick, cherry blossom, jasmine and bramble. A rounder, weightier, medium style of Riesling, combining flavours of red apple, cumquat, rhubarb and pink grapefruit. The pineapple skin acid tang and juiciness sidles up gently on the finish and stands quietly but firmly, augmented by a hint of talc. A Riesling that is frighteningly easy to drink, either on its own or with a suitable pork match.

Quintessential Bendigo nose, packed full of citrus (lime), floral bath salts, spice and a hint of coriander. Think great IPA and swap lime for hops. Immediately bright and fresh to taste with juicy acidity front and centre, leading to apple and lush peachy/apricot flavours that this vineyard can show. The unique marriage of sweetness, acidity, alcohol and texture comes together on the cleansing, fresh and slate-driven finish. Sip away like a peach iced tea, bereft of food complications, or partner with something equally fresh and delicious like a Vietnamese beef salad.

Now onto our 5th vintage of Lowburn, the 2013 incarnation is arguably our best yet. A ripe, tropical bonanza to smell, showcasing the typically richer, more exotic qualities of this subregion. Luscious – almost pina colada creamy on the front palate – boasting a fruit spectrum of nectarine, pineapple and papaya juiced up with lemon and passionfruit squeeze. The finish just won't quit, balanced beautifully by ripe acids and sustained by mouth-coating layers of fruit with a hint of cinnamon. The no-brainer green curry wine for summer 13/14 and would even support an apricot flan. As far as aging goes, a decade-killer.

Bendigo – The youngest region with a low-moderate rainfall (360mm MAR). Located in a heat trap with a mixture of clays and loess over schist gravels.

Alexandra – The most southern region with the lowest rainfall (270mm MAR). Highly susceptible to frost, with sandy, alluvial soils.

Pisa – Located right on the 45th Parallel, spanning a 15km stretch of highway between Lowburn and Wanaka, literally in the foothills and terraces of Mt Pisa. Moderate rainfall (380mm MAR), with a soil mixture of loess over schist and greywacke gravels.